The Lodestar

Bullying in colleges is often dismissed as immaturity carried over from school, yet its impact on young adults is profound. Victims endure shame, anxiety, and even withdrawal from studies. A college counsellor I interviewed observed that “many students suffer silently because they fear being labelled weak.” The Christian community, however, cannot afford to remain silent. With biblical convictions and practical compassion, Christian students are called to prevent bullying, confront it when it occurs, and support those affected. This article engages with testimonies from survivors, insights from counsellors, and biblical principles to outline how Christian students can faithfully respond.

Understanding the Reality of College Bullying

Bullying in college does not always appear as physical aggression; it is often subtle, cloaked in exclusion, online ridicule, or power dynamics. One student survivor admitted, “My friends turned into strangers overnight—ignoring me in groups, mocking me in private chats. I felt invisible.” The damage is less visible than bruises but equally destructive.

Christian students must recognise that such actions violate the biblical command to “love your neighbour as yourself” (Mark 12:31). Whether the bully acts out of insecurity or cruelty, the Christian response requires both clarity and courage to name the wrong. Ignoring it or dismissing it as “just part of college life” perpetuates harm.

Prevention: Living Out a Christ-Centred Culture

Prevention begins with creating a culture where bullying cannot thrive. Christian students are called to embody kindness, patience, and humility in daily interactions (Colossians 3:12­—13). A campus counsellor noted, “Most bullying stops when students feel there are communities of belonging.”

This means Christian student groups must go beyond weekly fellowship meetings. They must intentionally include those who feel isolated—international students, those from minority backgrounds, or peers struggling with mental health. Acts of hospitality, such as sharing meals or inviting someone to join a study group, signal dignity and a sense of belonging. In this way, prevention is not simply about avoiding bullying, but about actively cultivating a Christ-centred community where love displaces hostility.

Addressing Bullying with Courage and Justice

When bullying does occur, Christian students cannot remain passive. Silence enables the aggressor. A survivor reflected, “What hurt most was not what the bully said but that no one spoke up for me.” Scripture reminds us: “Open your mouth for the mute, for the rights of all who are destitute” (Proverbs 31:8).

Addressing bullying involves both personal courage and institutional responsibility. Christian students should confront bullies directly when it is safe, using gentle yet firm words. For example, a simple, “That was hurtful—please stop,” can interrupt cruelty. When situations escalate, they must appeal to college authorities. Bypassing official processes out of fear only entrenches injustice.

One anonymous counsellor emphasised that reporting is not betrayal but protection: “When students speak up, they set boundaries that safeguard everyone.” Christian students, therefore, must model courage by pursuing the truth, even when it is uncomfortable.

Assisting Victims with Compassion and Practical Support

Beyond prevention and intervention lies a deeper Christian duty—to assist those scarred by bullying. Emotional wounds do not heal simply because the incident has ended. Victims often struggle with self-worth, isolation, and distrust.

A survivor confessed, “Even after it stopped, I carried their words like chains.” Here, the church community in college has a unique role. Christian students must listen without judgment, affirm the dignity of the wounded, and, when necessary, guide them towards professional help. Galatians exhorts believers to “bear one another’s burdens” (Galatians 6:2). This includes accompanying friends to counselling appointments, helping them reintegrate into community life, and offering a steady presence.

Compassion, however, is not merely an emotional response. Practical assistance matters: helping a victim catch up on missed classes, inviting them into study groups, or walking with them to places they now fear. Such small acts of faithfulness testify to Christ’s love in tangible ways.

The Role of Forgiveness and Reconciliation

One of the most challenging aspects of Christian response is forgiveness. Victims often ask, “How can I forgive someone who humiliated me?” Forgiveness does not mean minimising harm or avoiding accountability. Rather, it is entrusting justice to God while refusing to let bitterness consume the heart (Romans 12:19).

Some survivors find healing in extending forgiveness. One student shared, “When I forgave, I finally felt free from their grip on me.” Yet forgiveness must never be demanded prematurely or used to silence calls for justice. Instead, Christian friends can gently encourage victims to process their pain at their own pace, reminding them of Christ, who forgave even those who mocked Him (Luke 23:34).

Reconciliation, though ideal, is not always possible. Safety and accountability come first. However, even when reconciliation fails, forgiveness can release victims from the cycles of resentment and enable them to flourish again.

Witness to a Watching World

How Christian students respond to bullying becomes a form of witness. In a culture where cruelty often thrives unchecked, standing with the vulnerable testifies to the gospel. Christ identified himself with “the least of these” (Matthew 25:40). To defend and comfort the bullied is to serve Christ himself.

When Christian students refuse to tolerate bullying, they offer a counter-narrative to the world’s indifference. Their courage and compassion reveal a community shaped not by fear or dominance but by the love of God. In doing so, they not only protect peers but also invite bullies and bystanders alike to encounter Christ’s transforming grace.

Practical Recommendations

To make these convictions concrete, several practices are essential:

Cultivate Inclusive Communities: Invite isolated peers into Christian groups, meals, or events. Prevention begins with belonging.

Speak with Courage: Intervene in the moment with firm, respectful words; escalate to authorities when necessary.

Support Victims Practically: Offer companionship, academic help, and encouragement towards counselling.

Promote Healing: Encourage victims to move towards forgiveness at their own pace, without rushing or silencing their pain.

Model Christ’s Love: Live daily with compassion and humility so that the gospel reshapes college culture.

Bullying in college remains a painful reality. Yet Christian students have the resources of faith to respond differently. They can prevent bullying by cultivating inclusive communities, address injustice with courage, and assist victims with compassion. By doing so, they not only confront cruelty but also embody the love of Christ in a world that desperately needs it.

As one counsellor concluded, “When Christian students choose courage over silence and compassion over indifference, they change the atmosphere of a campus.” Indeed, in confronting bullying, Christian students participate in God’s redemptive work—bringing light into dark places, truth into falsehood, and love into cruelty.

(Thangchinlian Guite, with a lifelong passion for writing, finds joy in weaving his imagination into words on paper.)